Hamilton-Wenham rallies around Team Daisy at PMC Challenge

Thursday

Aug 14, 2014 at 11:36 AMAug 14, 2014 at 11:36 AM

By Dom NicastroCorrespondent

The Pan Mass. Challenge has come and gone. But the effort to raise awareness about cancer research is still being felt locally.The mission of a group of local riders, TEAM Daisy/Summit Partners, never ends, really. As they say, they ride for "our loved ones and anyone who has had to deal with a cancer diagnosis."Team DAISY is inspired by the Locke family of Wenham. Daisy Locke, now a teenager, was diagnosed at very young age with cancer and has received treatment throughout her life.The Locke’s and dozens of other fundraisers participated earlier this month again in the annual Pan Mass. Challenge, a two-day cycling ride that raises money for the world’s premier cancer treatment institute, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.Last year alone, the team of locals raised $244,323.50. Since 1997 and through 2013, Team Daisy/Summit Partners has raised a total of $1,812,564.53 for cancer research and care."We are committed to continuing to raise money and awareness until cancer is no longer," Peter Locker, Daisy’s father, wrote.Locke said the team had 54 on the roster this year. As of earlier this month, the team had raised nearly $260,000 and expects to raise more than $300,000 for the PMC and Dana Farber."The ride itself was made difficult this year due to the rain on Saturday but Sunday being overcast and not too hot was perfect riding weather," Locke said. "I am very happy to report that all team riders were able to finish their rides safely. Team Daisy is going strong and plans to be around for the foreseeable future, and Daisy is also doing well going to summer school and enjoying her summer."Daisy in 1996 was diagnosed with cancer. Incredibly and against tremendous odds she is still with us, Locke said, although the cancer and treatment was devastating to her health."Very sadly she will never lead a normal life because of this disease," he said.Over the last two years Locke has lost three more great friends and human beings to cancer. Joe Paratore was diagnosed and passed away three months later. He was 48. Ed Walsh, who was a former PMC rider himself, succumbed due to complications from cancer treatment he had received years earlier. He was 52. And most recently, Dave Craven a friend that Locke had known for nearly 30 years lost his battle. He was 62."They all went way before their time due to cancer," Locke said. "Sadly the reality is that we will all know more family members and close friends over these coming years who will also have to deal with this terrible affliction. Some will not survive. We all will be devastated."But Locke said his family and his Team DAISY members are doing something about it."(It’s riding in the PMC to) raise the money needed to conduct the research into understanding how to better treat and yes possibly someday cure this malady that causes so much pain to so many," Locke said.According to PMC Executive Director Billy Starr, the event continues to gather plenty of momentum."The lasting memory I will take from this past weekend is the spirit and pride of this amazing community," said Starr via a blog posting after the race."People are always looking for language to encapsulate the PMC essence but anybody can confirm what I witnessed this past weekend," he added. "While the mission is to the center of our work, the PMC community is a shining example of the best of human nature on display. Of course a project of this scope could not be achieved without the professional volunteerism of over 3,700 people covering 360 miles of infrastructure. But their jobs are made immeasurably easier because of the character of the 5,700 on bicycles. People of good intent doing good work with great resolve...and humor."Starr added the goal for this year’s race is $40 million goal. Fundraising continues into the fall.Since its 1980 inception, the PMC has contributed $414 million to lifesaving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.